This weekend sees WBC interim Light Welterweight champion Lucas Martin Matthysse (32-2-0-1, 30) make the the first defense of his title as he faces American challenger Mike Dallas Jr (19-2-1, 8) who is rightfully seen as a big underdog.
As the under-dog it's only fair to look at the challenger first as in all honesty, he will need a miracle, though same may say he actually got one to even get this fight after Henry Lundy was originally scheduled to face Matthysse.
Dallas Jr is a pretty decent boxer and comes from a solid amateur background that almost saw him qualifying for the 2008 Olympics (losing to Danny Garcia in the trials). He moves well, he has solid technique and impressive hand speed though sadly he lacks the power to keep anyone around world level honest and will need to use his skills as opposed to anything else if he intends to go as far as his potential would have suggested a few years ago.
Sadly for Dallas Jr he's been "exposed" and suffered 2 losses in 2011, losing his unbeaten record via 7th round TKO to Josesito Lopez and then losing a decision to the unheralded Mauricio Herrera. Since then however Dallas Jr has bounced back with 2 wins over decent competition and rebuilt his once shattered confidence.
Dallas at his best is a very talented boxer, who uses his skills wonderfully to stay out of trouble whilst landing his own clean, crisp shots. At his worst however he can be dragged in to a brawl where his lack of power really puts him at a disadvantage, and against Matthysse the worst thing you can do is brawl with him and show you're a man.
Whilst Dallas Jr is a bit of a pure boxer, Argentinian Matthysse is a true animal in the ring with a combination of aggressive pressure and a nasty hurtful punch that has made him one of the most feared men in world boxing. He's relentless, teak tough and attempts to destroy his opponent bit by bit, as he did last time out against Ajose Olusegun, who bravely took a beating for 10 rounds.
Despite having 2 losses on his record many view Matthysse as an unbeaten fighter with both of his losses being very controversial split decisions to the promoters fighters in their home towns. Though in all honesty I think those losses have made Matthysse a meaner fighter more determined to end the show early rather than risk a decision.
With Matthysse's mean streak and the fact Dallas likes to get involved in a brawl when he shouldn't I can't see this ending any other way than Dallas getting stopped, probably in the middle rounds as Matthysse's power and tenacity breaks down the challenger.
Prediction-Matthysse TKO6
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